There are a number of factors that contribute to young drivers’ high crash rates, especially their lack of behind-the-wheel experience. Driving is a relatively complex skill, and regardless of the level of maturity and intelligence, young drivers are still beginners. Some skills take longer to master. In a life-threatening situation, young drivers may simply lack the experience necessary to respond in an effective manner.

Studies show basic vehicle control skills–like turning, steering, and stopping–are achieved quite quickly. But perceptual, judgment and decision-making skills take longer to acquire. For example, compared to more experienced drivers, novices concentrate eye movements in a smaller area, refer to their rearview mirror less often, and look closer in front and to the right of the vehicle. And advanced motoring skills–such as driving at night and during rush hour, detecting threats, and recovering from a skid–take plenty of practice to master.

Nationally, studies have found that driver error plays a role in upwards of 75 percent of the fatal crashes involving teen drivers. Teens typically exhibit poor multi-tasking ability and often don’t have the ability to envision consequences–skills that are crucial to safe driving. Research also shows that teens are less likely to buckle up and more likely to use a cell phone while driving than older motorists.

On Arkansas’s roads, among the the most common driver errors contributing to crashes are driving too fast for conditions, failure to yield and following too close. Indeed, of the more than 19,000 crashes involving teens in 2007, about 21 percent of the teens were driving carelessly in those crashes.

Making matters worse is the fact young drivers typically exhibit impulsive and high risk-taking behavior. Their immaturity translates into poor driving judgment. Some young drivers may actually seek out demanding or risky situations so they can test their skills, as a way to make driving more exciting. Indeed, one recent study found 25 percent of male teens speed because it is “fun.”

Not only do they take more risks behind the wheel, but young drivers have high-risk exposure to situations ripe for crashes. Novice motorists often drive during nighttime high-risk hours, when visibility is lower. And they typically drive with several of their friends in the car, who can distract them and add to the peer pressure to take risks.

“A combination of inexperience, immaturity and risk-taking behavior combine to make the first year or two behind the wheel the riskiest period of life for driving,” said Dr. Mary Aitken, medical director of the Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock.

Unfortunately, the only way for novice drivers to gain experience, sharpen their abilities and develop proper decision-making skills is through driving. For example, a person who has little experience driving and is approaching a bus stop may not perceive the potential hazard of pedestrians entering and exiting the bus. In comparison, an experienced driver has developed expectancies from encountering similar situations and can use them to avoid trouble.

Statistics clearly show the risk of a collision declines significantly after obtaining several years of on-the-road driving experience. The challenge is allowing drivers to gain that experience in as safe a manner as possible.

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